Packaging of semiconductor device with antenna and heat spreader

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor package includes an integrated circuit (IC), a heat dissipation structure, a molding layer and an antenna. The IC is mounted on a first surface of a first redistribution layer (RDL). The heat dissipation structure is mounted on a second surface of the first RDL. The molding compound is disposed over the first surface of the first RDL. The antenna is disposed on the second surface of the first RDL, wherein the antenna is disposed side-by-side to the heat dissipation structure.

BACKGROUND

The semiconductor industry has experienced rapid growth due to continuous improvements in the integration density of various electronic components (e.g., transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, etc.). Since passive components and chips which are packed in a semiconductor package generate heat while operating, heat dissipation for the semiconductor package is one of the major concerns in the semiconductor industry. However, a semiconductor package with heat dissipation structure is usually thickness overhead which would be an issue in the development of the semiconductor industry.

Therefore, there is a need to integrate heat dissipation structure in a semiconductor package and to reduce the thickness of the semiconductor package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2I are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a manufacturing method of a semiconductor package of the semiconductor device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart indicating the manufacturing method of a semiconductor package in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device 100 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the semiconductor device 100 includes a semiconductor package 110 and a printed circuit board 120. The semiconductor package 110 includes an integrated circuit (IC) 112, a heat dissipation structure 114, a molding layer 116 and an antenna 118. Additionally, the semiconductor package 110 may further include redistribution layers (RDLs) 113, 115 and 117, thermal paste layers TP1 and TP2, and the connecting components or solder balls 119. The semiconductor package 110 is mounted on the printed circuit board 120 through the solder balls 119. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the semiconductor package 110 may be an integrated fan-out (InFO) package which integrates the heat dissipation structure 114 to improve the heat dissipation capability of the InFO package.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the IC 112 may be or include a radio-frequency (RF) chip which is configured to generate or process RF signals. The RF chip may be used in numerous electronic devices such as cellular telephones and wireless communication devices. The IC 112 has an active side AS and a back side BS, where the backside BS is coupled to the heat dissipation structure 114 through the RDLs 113, 115 and the thermal paste layers TP1 and TP2. As such, the heat generated by the IC 112 may be dissipated by the heat dissipation structure 114. The active side AS of the IC 112 is electrically coupled to the solder balls 119 through the RDL 117 to communicate with circuits in the printed circuit board 120.

The heat dissipation structure 114 is disposed on a surface of the RDL 113 with a thermal paste layer TP2 in between the heat dissipation structure 114 and the RDL 113. The heat dissipation structure 114 has a high coefficient of thermal expansion to increase the heat dissipation performance. The material of the heat dissipation structure 114 may be copper, copper compound, aluminum, aluminum compound, ceramic material or a combination thereof. The thermal conduction coefficients of copper and aluminum are about 389 W/m-K and 210 W/m-K, respectively. It should be noted that the material and the shape of the heat dissipation structure 114 are not limited in the disclosure.

To improve the thermal conductivity and thermal dissipation performance, the thermal paste is disposed between the heat dissipation structure 114 and the RDL 113 and between the RDL 115 and the IC 112. The thermal paste may be thermally conductive (e.g., high thermal conductivity) and electrically insulating (high electrical conductivity) compound. The material for the thermal paste is not limited in the disclosure.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna 118 may be a double-patch antenna which includes at least one antenna patch 118 a and at least one antenna patch 118 b. The antenna patch 118 a is separated from the antenna patch 118 b by at least one dielectric layer, and the at least one dielectric layer may include at least one air cavity 118 c for improving the performance of the antenna 118. In some embodiments, the supporting frame 118 d is used to form the air cavity 118 c. However, the dielectric layer with air cavity 118 c should not be limited to the disclosure. The at least one dielectric layer may be filled up with other dielectric material instead of the air, and the antenna design may be adapted according to the design needs. The antenna 118 may further include a ground plane which may be the RDL 117 in an embodiment of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the materials of the antenna patches 118 a and 118 b may be different from the material of the heat dissipation structure 114 to avoid the signal interferences between the heat dissipation structure 114 and the antenna 118. The antenna 118 may be separated from the heat dissipation structure 114 by a gap (e.g., an air gap) to reduce the influence of the heat from the heat dissipation structure 114 to the performance of the antenna 118. The materials for the antenna patches 118 a, 118 b and the heat dissipation structure 114, and the width of the air gap between the antenna 118 and the heat dissipation structure 114 are selected according to designed needs.

The antenna 118 is disposed on the RDL 113 and is arranged in side-by-side with the heat dissipation structure 114. In this way, the thickness of the semiconductor package 110 is reduced while the performance of the antenna 118 and the heat dissipation structure is improved.

The molding layer 116 may be served as a protective layer that protect the IC 212 and other components of the semiconductor package 110. In addition, the molding layer 116 may also be served as a part of the antenna 118. For example, the RDL 117 may serve as a ground plane of the antenna 118, and the molding layer 116 may serve as a dielectric layer which separate the ground plane from the antenna patch 118 a.

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2I are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a manufacturing method of a semiconductor package according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2A, a RDL 213 is formed on a carrier substrate 200. The carrier substrate 200 may be a glass substrate or a glass supporting board. Alternatively, other suitable materials may be adapted for the carrier substrate 200 as long as the materials are able to withstand the subsequent manufacturing processes and support the elements formed thereon.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, an adhesive layer (not shown) is formed between the carrier substrate 200 and the RDL 213 to enhance the adhesion between the carrier substrate 200 and the other structures subsequently formed thereon, and to improve the rigidity of the overall package structure during the manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer may be a light-to-heat-conversion (LTHC) adhesive layer, and such layer enables room temperature de-bonding from the carrier substrate by applying laser irradiation.

The RDL 213 is formed on the carrier substrate 200 or on the adhesive layer (not shown) on the surface of the carrier substrate 200. In some embodiments, the RDL 213 includes conductive portions (or conductive via) 213 a which penetrates through the RDL 213. The conductive portions 213 a may be formed by a plating process or a photomask process or any other suitable processes. The conductive portions 213 a may include copper, aluminum, gold, silver, tin, or a compound including at least one of them.

Referring to FIG. 2B, after forming the RDL 213 on the carrier substrate 200, the RDL 215 are formed on the RDL 213. The RDL 215 may include antenna patches 218 a and a conductive portion 215 a which serves as a chip-placement area. The antenna patches 218 a and the chip-placement area 215 a are made of conductive materials such as copper, aluminum, gold, silver, tin, or a compound including at least one of them. The conductive materials of the antenna patches 218 a may be the same or different from the chip-placement area 215 a, and the conductive materials of the RDL 215 may be the same or different from the materials of the RDL 213. The RDL 213 and RDL 215 in FIG. 2A to 21 may be the same as the RDL 113 and RDL 115, respectively shown in FIG. 1.

The conductive portion 215 a of the RDL 215 may directly contact to the conductive portion 213 a of the RDL 213. The techniques for forming the RDL 215 are not limited in the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2C, the IC 212 is mounted on the conductive portion 215 a of the RDL 215. The IC 212 may have an active side AS and a back side BS, where the back side BS is mounted on the conductive portion 215 a of the RDL 215. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the back side BS of the IC 212 is mounted on the RDL 215 through a thermal paste layer TP1 disposed between the IC 212 and the RDL 215. The thermal paste layer TP1 includes thermal paste that is configured to improve the thermal conductivity between the IC 212 and the RDL 215, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency.

The active side AS of the IC 212 may have at least one connecting terminal or connecting pad 212 a for electrically connecting the IC 212 with other circuits. At least one passivation layer PL may be formed on the active side AS of the IC 212, where the at least one passivation layer PL has at least one opening that expose the connecting pad 212 a of the IC 212. The passivation layer PL may be formed on the IC 212 before mounting the IC 212 to the RDL 215 or after mounting the IC 212 to the RDL 215. The IC 212 shown in FIG. 2A to 21 may be the same as the IC 112 shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2D, a molding process is performed to form a molding layer 216 over the RDL 215. The molding layer 216 may be the same as the molding layer 116 shown in FIG. 1. The molding layer 216 has molding compound that may be a protective resin such as, for example, an epoxy, polyimide or other dielectric composition. It should be noted that the molding compound is only provided on the area of the RDL 215 where the IC 212 is not occupied. In other words, the active side AS of the IC 212 is not encapsulated by the molding compound, but is exposed for further processing. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the thickness of the molding layer is substantially equal to the thickness of the IC 212, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 2E, the RDL 217 is formed on the molding layer 216 and the IC 212. The RDL 217 is electrically coupled to the IC 212 through the connecting pad 212 a of the IC 212. The IC 212 may be coupled to other circuits outside the semiconductor package through the RDL 217. The RDL 217 may include a plurality of conductive pads (not shown). The conductive pads are for example, under-ball metallurgy (UBM) patterns used for ball mount. In some other embodiments, the conductive pads (UBM patterns) are omitted.

Referring to FIG. 2F, the solder balls 219 are mounted to the RDL 217 so that the IC 212 is electrically coupled to the solder balls 219 through the RDL 217. The RDL 217 and the solder balls 219 shown in FIG. 2 may be the same as the RDL 117 and the solder balls 119, respectively shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2G, the semiconductor package is flipped over (or turned up side down) and is placed on a tape 300, where the solder balls 219 contact the tape 300. The tape 300 may be formed of a material which withstands the subsequent processes. The tape 300 is detachable, and the tape 300 is removed from the semiconductor package after the completion of manufacturing process.

As shown in FIG. 2G, the carrier substrate 200 is de-bonded from the semiconductor package to expose the RDL 213. In an embodiment where the adhesive layer is formed between the carrier substrate 200 and the RDL 213, the carrier substrate 200 may be de-bonded by using laser irradiation.

Referring to FIG. 2H, the heat dissipation structure 214 is mounted on the exposed surface of the RDL 213. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the heat dissipation structure 214 is mounted on the RDL 213 through a thermal paste layer TP2 which is disposed between the heat dissipation structure 214 and the RDL 213. The materials of the thermal paste layer TP2 may be the same as or different from the material of the thermal paste layer TP1. The thermal paste layers TP1, TP2 and the RDLs 213 and 215 forms a thermal dissipation path between the IC 212 and the heat dissipation structure 214. As such, heat generated by the IC 212 is transferred to the heat dissipation structure 214 via the formed thermal path, and is dissipated by the heat dissipation structure 214. In some embodiments, the heat generated by the IC 212 may be dissipated through structure 214 to an external heat dissipation structure of a device. For example, the external heat dissipation structure may be a LCD shield plate in the device, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The device may include stationary and mobile computing devices such as mobile phone, cameras, television sets, and the like. It should be noted that the shape of the heat dissipation structure 214 as shown in FIG. 2H is for illustration purpose only, any shape and structure of heat dissipation structure falls within the scope of the disclosure. The heat dissipation structure 214 may be the same as the heat dissipation structure 114 shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2H, the antenna 218 is arranged side-by-side with the heat dissipation structure 214. The antenna 218 may include at least one antenna patch 218 a, at least one antenna patch 218 b, a dielectric layer that is formed by at least one air cavity 218 c and a supporting frame 218 d. In the example shown in FIG. 2H, the cavity 218 c is the air cavity, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The material to fill up the cavity 218 c may be selected according to the designed requirements.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the air cavity 218 c may be for red by performing a chemical etching or physical cutting or any other suitable process which is capable of generating the air cavity between antenna patches. The antenna 218 as shown in FIG. 2A to 21 may be the same as the antenna 118 shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2I, the tape 300 is removed to get the semiconductor package 210.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart indicating the manufacturing method of a semiconductor package in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. In step S310, a first redistribution layer (RDL) is provided on a carrier substrate. Step S310 is illustrated in FIG. 2B of the disclosure and is described above, thus the detailed description about step S310 is omitted herein.

In step S320, an integrated circuit (IC) is mounted on a first surface of the first RDL. The steps S320 is illustrated in FIG. 2C of the disclosure and is described above, thus the detailed description about step S320 is omitted herein.

In step S330, the heat dissipation structure is mounted on a second surface of the first RDL; and in step S340, an antenna is provided on the second surface of the first RDL, wherein the antenna is disposed side-by-side to the heat dissipation structure. The steps S330 and S340 are illustrated in FIG. 2D and FIG. 2H, and are described above, thus the detailed description about steps S330 and S340 are omitted herein.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, a semiconductor package includes an integrated circuit (IC), a heat dissipation structure, a molding compound, and an antenna. The IC is mounted on a first surface of a first redistribution layer (RDL). The heat dissipation structure is mounted on a second surface of the first RDL. The antenna is disposed on the second surface of the first RDL, wherein the antenna is disposed side-by-side to the heat dissipation structure.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor package and a printed circuit board. The semiconductor package includes an integrated circuit (IC), a heat dissipation structure, and an antenna. The IC is mounted on a first surface of a first redistribution layer (RDL). The heat dissipation structure is mounted on a second surface of the first RDL. The antenna is disposed on the second surface of the first RDL, wherein the antenna is disposed side-by-side to the heat dissipation structure. The printed circuit board is connected to the semiconductor package by at least one solder ball.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for packaging a semiconductor device with a heat dissipation structure, comprising: providing a first redistribution layer (RDL); mounting an integrated circuit (IC) on a first surface of the first RDL, wherein the IC is electrically insulated from the first RDL; mounting the heat dissipation structure on a second surface of the first RDL; and providing an antenna on the second surface of the first RDL, wherein the antenna is disposed side-by-side to the heat dissipation structure.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a first thermal paste layer between the IC and the second surface of the first RDL to form a heat dissipation path from the IC to the heat dissipation structure through the first RDL, wherein the first thermal paste layer is formed by thermally conductive and electrically insulated material.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises at least one first antenna patch, and the at least one first antenna patch is formed in the first RDL.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the antenna further comprises at least one second antenna patch, and the method further comprising: forming a dielectric layer on the second surface of the first RDL; and forming the at least one second antenna patch on the dielectric layer.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the dielectric layer comprises an air cavity that is disposed side-by-side to the heat dissipation structure.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a second RDL, wherein the second RDL is disposed between a carrier substrate and the first RDL, second RDL contacts the first RDL, and the heat dissipation structure is mounted to the second surface of the first RDL through the second RDL.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: providing a second thermal paste layer between the heat dissipation structure and the second RDL.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: performing a molding process to form a molding layer over the first surface of the first RDL; providing a third RDL on the molding layer and the IC; and mounting at least one solder ball on the third RDL to electrically connect to the IC with the at least one solder ball through the third RDL.
 9. A semiconductor package, comprising: an integrated circuit (IC) mounted on a first surface of a first redistribution layer (RDL), wherein the IC is electrically insulated from the first RDL; a heat dissipation structure, mounted on a second surface of the first RDL; and an antenna, disposed on the second surface of the first RDL, wherein the antenna is disposed side-by-side to the heat dissipation structure.
 10. The semiconductor package of claim 9, further comprising: a first thermal paste layer, disposed between the IC and the second surface of the first RDL to form a heat dissipation path from the IC to the heat dissipation structure through the first RDL, wherein the first thermal paste layer is formed by thermally conductive and electrically insulated material.
 11. The semiconductor package of claim 9, wherein the antenna comprises at least one first antenna patch, and the at least one first antenna patch is formed in the first RDL.
 12. The semiconductor package of claim 9, further comprising: a dielectric layer, formed on the second surface of the first RDL; and at least one second antenna patch of the antenna, formed on the dielectric layer.
 13. The semiconductor package of claim 12, wherein the dielectric layer comprises an air cavity that is disposed side-by-side to the heat dissipation structure.
 14. The semiconductor package of claim 9, further comprising: a second RDL, disposed between the carrier substrate and the first RDL, wherein the second RDL contacts the first RDL, and the heat dissipation structure is mounted to the second surface of the first RDL through the second RDL.
 15. The semiconductor package of claim 9, further comprising: a second thermal paste layer, disposed between the heat dissipation structure and a second RDL.
 16. The semiconductor package of claim 9, further comprising: a molding layer, disposed over the first surface of the first RDL; a third RDL, disposed on the molding layer and the IC; and at least one solder ball, mounted on the third RDL to electrically connect to the IC with the at least one clout solder ball through the third RDL.
 17. A semiconductor device, comprising: a semiconductor package, comprising: an integrated circuit (IC) mounted on a first surface of a first redistribution layer (RDL), wherein the IC is electrically insulated from the first RDL; a heat dissipation structure, mounted on a second surface of the first RDL; and an antenna, disposed on the second surface of the first RDL, wherein the antenna is disposed side-by-side to the heat dissipation structure; and a printed circuit board, connected to the semiconductor package by at least one solder ball.
 18. The semiconductor device of claim 17, further comprising: a first thermal paste layer, disposed between the IC and the second surface of the first RDL to form a heat dissipation path from the IC to the heat dissipation structure through the first RDL, wherein the first thermal paste layer is formed by thermally conductive and electrically insulated material.
 19. The semiconductor device of claim 17, further comprising: wherein the antenna comprises at least one first antenna patch, and the at least one first antenna patch is formed in the first RDL; a dielectric layer, formed on the second surface of the first RDL; and at least one second antenna patch of the antenna, formed on the dielectric layer.
 20. The semiconductor device of claim 17, wherein the dielectric layer comprises an air cavity that is disposed side-by-side to the heat dissipation structure. 